bid_em_up

Given that you appear to be one of the opponents in question, I can understand your strong objection and I will believe you when you say you did not leave in the middle of the hand. However, an examination of the hand record will not prove one way or another whether the statement is true or not. If an opponent "runs" in the middle of a hand, he remains the opponent of record until the next board starts. In other words, if you had fled in the middle of the hand, and somebody was subbed for you, and then declarer claimed, you would still be shown as the person at the table accepting the claim.

TOXer? What is that? Bill Take Out X'r (the person making the double).

Let me guess. This advice came from a person who is one of your regular opponents, right?

I am not confused. I thought I said that they would pay no taxes on the estate.

Here's a list of the tax rates: Year......Tax Exempt.......Gift Tax Credit....Max. Tax Rate 2002......$1 million..........$1 million...........50% 2003......$1 million..........$1 million...........49% 2004......$1.5 million.......$1 million............48% 2005......$1.5 million.......$1 million............47% 2006......$2 million..........$1 million...........46% 2007......$2 million..........$1 million...........45% 2008......$2 million..........$1 million...........45% 2009......$3.5 million.......$1 million............45% 2010......Tax Repeal......Tax Repeal......... 0% 2011......$1 million..........$1 million...........50% 2012......$1 million..........$1 million...........50% 2013......$1 million..........$1 million...........50% In 2009, anything over 3.5 million was taxed at a 45% rate. Supposedly, this year, the Estate Tax is completely repealed. This means if you die this year, you pay absolutely no taxes, no matter what the estate is valued at. So if Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, or (insert filthy rich person name here) dies this year, as it stands right now they would pay absolutely nothing in taxes (this is my understanding of it, I could be mistaken). Needless to say, it is expected that Congress will close this loophole sometime this year, and make it retroactive to the first of the year. Then it kicks back in next year, but only the first million dollars is exempt and then it will be taxed at a the higher 50% rate.

What would you do against WC opponents? The problem I see with this approach is that it is likely to be followed by two more passes and your side is cold for 4♠. I think it's a close choice between 3♥ and a direct 4♠ here. I would bid 3♥.

Personally, I feel that splintering with this hand takes up too much room. If my methods allow for showing controls after an inverted g/f raise, then that would be my first choice. If the methods do not allow for this, then splinter is my second choice.

is it twice more "a little bit" ? ok, maybe twice more is as exaggeration, but "a little bit more" it is too. edit again: it seems that twice more might be quite accurate: a 75000 euros/year will pay 33% income tax a 75000 US/year will pay 20% income tax if you factor in the sales tax, 19% versus 4%-8% you are getting there ... Lol, maybe you should start by comparing similar incomes, instead of comparing a 75k $ salary with a 105k $ salary. I am wondering if you try to be sarcastic, but whatever ... 75,000 Eur != $75,000 US. 75,000 Eur. = $108,000 US (approx. based on exchange rate of 1.438) This is what is meant by.....comparing similar incomes, imo. and fwiw, my local sales tax rate is 9.5% and is constantly trying to be increased for various special local projects. ymmv.

If using an "Old Style Convention Card" (not the full disclosure one), the simplest way is to have them sit at a table with you, then set the Convention Card. For them to see it, they click on the CONV button, then "Show Old Style" then "Our". This will show them the CC. They can then save it onto their PC, if they wish to do so. However, even if they do not save it, the software will remember the convention card from that point forward everytime you play with that partner and automatically load it. Somebody else will have to tell you how to share a Full Disclosure CC.

I think this is where your problem lies. At matchpoints, passing 2N isn't that bad, and I suspect if the problem was posed as a matchpoint question, you would find a lot more support for passing 2N. In IMP play, you cannot afford to miss a vulnerable game that will have any play whatsoever (some say greater than 40%). While you may not have nine legitimate tricks, you will make nine either via the opening lead or through misdefense often enough to make raising to three profitable in the long run. Like most everyone else, this is an automatic raise to 3N for me.

1. Fred 2. Ritong 3. Reisig 4. Inquiry 5. Cascade

I think you are reading more into this than there really is. If your RHO said this, wouldn't you find it amusing that he wasn't worried about the singleton spade, or the singleton heart, but about the three dead diamonds instead. Would you never share the story with your dinner companions during the break? I don't think he's necessarily referring to the 3N bid as being bad, it's just the comment that was made regarding why 3N was chosen was amusing. jmoo.

Seriously? If partner cannot bid spades over 1H, cannot raise 3♦ to 4♦ diamonds, and cannot make a legitimate heart raise at this point (I will assume you could distinguish between a real raise and a simple preference here), then how many clubs do you think he has? Yes, partner may have failed to bid a bad four card spade suit, but imo, this is less likely than him having fewer than four spades. So, he has no more than 3 spades, 2 hearts, and 3 diamonds normally in this sequence, therefore he should have at least 5♣. Now see if you can find the club slam (if it actually exists). If not, you will at least make it to 5♣.

Both opponents have heart shortness, and RHO has already passed. Doesn't this make it more likely LHO will either be able to bid 4♠ or double 4♥ for takeout?

"How a union is going to ruin Christmas for some" And I thought this was going to be a thread about the elves going on strike. :(

Only for the drunk. For everyone else, it's a lot safer.

Geez, I mean, ok so he got around, but Dr. Ruth? Surely, he didn't get that desperate. She must be lying (or having a fantasy).

It is with much sadness that I announce the death of Ehab Ragab Hassan, Mr_E on BBO. He died of a heart attack on 11/25 at 8 p.m., and was buried in his native homeland, Egypt, on 11/29. I believe he was 40 at the time of his death. He was a great player, a good partner, and my mentor for many years. More importantly, he was my friend. He will be greatly missed by all of his friends. :)

Unfortunately, "I never accept claims" "I never allow redeals" "I always reject undos" suffice as "any" reason. So no matter how much you may claim there is "no reason", there actually may be one.

For the same reason negative doubles and transfers were alertable for some 20+ years, namely the people who wrote the alert chart never got around to changing it. (I'm not disagreeing on the puppet issue itself.) Edit: Had I realized this thread had simply been resurrected from the dead, I wouldn't have even added this to it.

Just out of curiosity, why does the rating need to be displayed for everyone to see? Assuming a reasonable rating system could be established, simply show it to each person when they log on so that they are the only person who actually knows what their "rating" is. Hopefully, this might convince at least some people to assess their profile "level" somewhat more accurately. Other random thoughts: It could be an optional item to be displayed on profile. (Check a box for on or off). Certain "levels" could be prevented from claiming to be Expert or World Class status based upon their rating proficiency. This doesn't have to be based in rocket science. It's quite irritating to look at someone's MyHands records who has expert/WC in their profile, and yet, they have a negative 2.5 imp score in 1500 hands. It's fairly safe to say, this person is not Expert, much less World Class, and if that hurts their itty bitty feelings....well, so be it. If somebody decides they don't wish to see how good/bad they are performing, it should be a simple matter to make it possible to "opt out" of the rating system entirely. just my $0.05 (inflation is killing me)

I really don't think this is an issue Tyler. When you first proposed this hand to me, I said I would open 1♦ and you said the auction would go as follows: 1♦ (2♣) 2♦ (4♣) Given this start, I bid 4♠ and I refuse to believe any competent partner will ever pass this as you suggested he might. You did not state what the opponents will do over 4♠ (if anything), but it is a moot point. Over whatever partner bids, you simply bid 7♣, unless the opponents beat you to it in which case you're forced to guess. This sequence should convey the message that you have longer diamonds than spades but the spades are solid if partner has any length at all in the suit and should be pick a slam. jmoo.

possibly so, but it will be impossible to open 2♠ when RHO just opened 1N in front of you.

. (reread it, decided it meant something else)

"Two pregnant women died from H1N1 during the week of Oct. 25 in North Carolina, Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman Renee McCoy said Monday." http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6383529/